The Tension and the Spark

The Tension and the Spark is the second studio album by Darren Hayes, released in 2004. The album was a change for Hayes, who took a more electronic and darker style for this record and also delved deeper into more personal matter. This dramatic change alienated some of his fan-base, who were expecting a result similar to his previous effort "Spin". The title of the album is derived from lyrics featured in the second track, "I Like the Way".

Reception

The album was received warmly by critics and fans, praising its personal matter. The Observer said "This album is no folly and succeeds, often to the point of all out triumph, on its own terms." Despite high positive reviews, it was not a large hit, and Hayes split with Columbia Records in 2006.

Singles

"Pop!ular" was released as the album's first single in July 2004 and becoming a hit, reaching #1 on the US Dance Chart, his first number one. NME praised the song, saying it was "A twistered masterclass in career reintervention...This guy is a genius."

The Tension and the Spark

Somewhere inside my evolutionKarmically I seek retributionLooking for love in physical beautyDesire is the drug of the bourgeoisieAnd now I try to intellectualizeLike a glimmer of good in a bad man's eyesI am consumed by the flesh haunting meI know temptation taunts the emptySo pour yourself over meUntil there's nothing left to see, yeah yeahBecause I like the way you move in the darkI like the tension, the tension and the sparkThe decadence of giving into desireCreates such entropy withinLooking for love in spiritual facesBlind to the art of fabricationI'm like a baby sucking mama's milkWant to drink my fill and then someLeave me aloneI always thought I was better than thisBut temptation tempts the tempteePour yourself over meUntil there's nothing left to see, yeah yeahOh, because I like the way you move in the darkAnd I like the tension, the tension and the spark, ohBecause I like the way you move in the dark, ohYou know I like the tension, the tension and, the tension and the spark, ohThis physicalityShifting me chemicallySuch power over meIt's just desireI know it's treachery (shifting me chemically)I know it's just skin deep (such power over me)I know I should resistI'm just too tiredToo tiredThere's just one thing missingOne thing missing here isLoveI like the way you move in the darkI like the tension, the tension and the spark (so pour yourself over me)You know, I like the way you move in the dark (so pour yourself over me)You know, I like the tension, the tension and, the tension and the sparkSo pour yourself over me(There's just one thing missing)(One thing missing)Until there's nothing left to see(There's just one thing missing)(The tension and the spark)(One thing missing)(So pour yourself over me)There's just one thing missingOne thing missing(So pour yourself over me)(I like the tension, the tension and the spark)(There's just one thing missing)One thing missing here is...Love